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http://forum.ecutek.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=525 <-- check this out. I see a good market for this, and if they build it people will come. If what I'm proposing interests those who fit the bill, perhaps contacting them, or adding to this thread will convince them of a usable market share.

I really have not been folowing the street tuner scene. I thought it was going to be like the ECUtek user tune. You are only able to adjust globally. Please some one tell me I am wrong. If the AP street tuner has more than just global adjustment I may jump the utec ship. All though I don't think I could give up the LC, solenoid driver, and CEL flash for knock.

So this would be like LT1 or LS1 Edit for GM cars & trucks... where you have access to nearly all ECU parameters and maps (not just fuel, timing and boost)? If that's the case I'd be interested in a such a product. -Chuck

Well.. I still believe both have their place, and to use both exploits the strengths and weaknesses quite well. Thus why I'm specific in my query of "hybrid" type users who have and use both (as I do).

EcuTeK's business model has remained unchanged since it's introduction. Given the huge number of posts related to the perceived inability to even connect with the Cobb Accessport, I think EcuTeK made a wise decision. However, if Cobb actually does sell its "AccessTuner" (when is it due?), then EcuTeK might rethink its product structure.

If ECUtek starts losing business... maybe then they'll change their model. Until then, they are making $300-400 per license I believe , without having to lift a finger. Thats standard wrx stuff, not the STi license which I believe is even more expensive.

Why put this in the hands of the average Joe with that kind of margin? I think the answer is, the hardware involved would probably be $200 worth of stuff at most, so they could kick that up to $1000 margin.

And with that $1000 margin, or extra $600-700 per license, you could hire on somebody making $30k a year to do nothing but answer the phone/emails on ECUTek problems, and still come out ahead. They'd only have to sell 50 of these things a year to break even.

The EcuTek Flash 2k "hardware" is more like $10 cost, not $200. Copying it, in theory, should be difficult, as you are trying to rip encrypted keys, though I've never made the attempt and, if they were stupid and used only 56bit crypto, you could derive a complete key by brute-force in a relatively short period of time. You could also crack the software with some effort and knowledge. Either of these tactics would require a rather cavilier regard for the law, and I think it unlikely that EcuTek would support you in case of a problem.

The EcuTek Flash 2k "hardware" is more like $10 cost, not $200. Copying it, in theory, should be difficult, as you are trying to rip encrypted keys, though I've never made the attempt and, if they were stupid and used only 56bit crypto, you could derive a complete key by brute-force in a relatively short period of time. You could also crack the software with some effort and knowledge. Either of these tactics would require a rather cavilier regard for the law, and I think it unlikely that EcuTek would support you in case of a problem.

-Sean

I'm assuming for the end user, the hardware would be more robust than a dongle and two wires, but point taken :

I think they're going to have to do this anyway. They have COBB coming out with Access Tuner. They also have the 05+ VIN, CIN and CVN requirements. Both COBB and EcuTeK will have to provide some sort of facility to restore the ECU to factory spec for smog testing. COBB has stated that they're committed to doing this. Which means EcuTeK will be left out in the cold if they do not. If they do, then they're going to provide a way to flash the ECU back to factory spec. At that point it would not be that much of a stretch to give you access to the maps.